Alexander M.M. Uballez U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico
Two men from Santa Fe have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a drug trafficking operation involving fentanyl and methamphetamine. The operation utilized social media to advertise and distribute drugs, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The investigation began in the fall of 2020 when the Santa Fe Police Department (SFPD) and the FBI started looking into a fentanyl-based drug-trafficking organization. Court documents reveal that Mario Guizar-Anchondo and Werni Lopez-Perez were identified through their social media activities promoting the sale of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
On December 4, 2021, SFPD officers responded to a report involving Lopez-Perez in a white Ford F-150 truck. A search uncovered a loaded firearm, over $18,000 in cash, 635 grams of methamphetamine, 40 grams of fentanyl pills, and drug paraphernalia.
Later that month on December 30, officers stopped the same vehicle driven by Guizar-Anchondo with Lopez-Perez as a passenger. A search authorized by warrants revealed approximately 1,730 grams of methamphetamine, 32,000 fentanyl pills, five loaded firearms, and additional paraphernalia.
Despite ongoing investigations, both individuals continued advertising fentanyl pills on social media platforms. These posts depicted baggies similar to those recovered during searches.
Both Guizar-Anchondo and Lopez-Perez pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. Lopez-Perez received an 80-month prison sentence while Guizar-Anchondo was sentenced to 108 months.
Upon release from prison, both will undergo three years of supervised release. There is no parole available in the federal system.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez alongside Raul Bujanda from the FBI's Albuquerque Field Office. The case was investigated by the Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from SFPD and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.
